COVID-related absence for Hamler

Broncos WR KJ Hamler missed practice today due to COVID-19 protocols, per team insider Mike Klis. Hamler told reporters last week that he was fully vaccinated — but not yet 14 days clear of his 2nd shot. Loaded with speed, the former Round 2 pick will likely need an injury to Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy to emerge in fantasy. We'll let you know when he returns to practice.

Update: Hamler said Wednesday that he missed practice due to a false positive. He was back at practice on August 4.

Broncos WR K.J. Hamler has been activated from the PUP list. He spent the offseason rehabbing the torn ACL and dislocated hip he suffered last September. We'll see how Hamler fares in practice and if he's ready come Week 1. His deep speed should mesh well with QB Russell Wilson, but Hamler will struggle for reliable fantasy value if he's the #4 WR behind Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick.

Broncos WR K.J. Hamler (knee, hip) has been placed on the PUP list to start training camp. He's still rehabbing the torn ACL and dislocated hip he suffered last September. It's unclear if Hamler will be ready for Week 1, but he'll likely need an injury to Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton or Tim Patrick to hit the fantasy radar this year.

Nick Kosmider of The Athletic considers K.J. Hamler the Denver WR that best fits Russell Wilson’s skill set. Hamler suffered a torn left ACL and a dislocated hip in Week 3 of last season. Following a smooth rehab, the speedster could fill a key role alongside one of the league’s best deep ball passers. Kosmider notes that the 3rd-year pro posted a massive 20.1 air yards per target in a limited 2021 sample. Given the crowded WR depth chart, though, Hamler’s best off as a late-round WR7/8 in best ball leagues.

Broncos WR K.J. Hamler revealed Wednesday that he dislocated his hip on the same play on which he tore his left ACL last September. He needed surgery on the hip, in addition to the knee. Hamler has resumed running and said he's ahead of schedule in his rehab. “The fact that I’m out there, when I’m not supposed to be out there… it tells you how hard I work. I’m working my butt off," he said. We'll see how Hamler looks when Denver opens training camp in July. He'll likely slide in as the Broncos' #4 WR behind Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick.

Broncos WR K.J. Hamler is “well ahead of schedule" in his recovery from last September's torn left ACL, GM George Paton said. Hamler was able to get on the field and run some routes with new QB Russell Wilson in March. "The fact that I saw him running routes last month at Russell’s, I mean, I know he’s doing well, I know his surgery went well, but when I saw him out there (running routes), very impressive," Paton added. It sounds like Hamler is on track to be ready for the start of training camp. His challenge at that point will be climbing a depth chart that's topped by Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick.